Watch Ramen Shop

Ramen Shop, a 2018 Singaporean-Japanese drama film, directed by Eric Khoo and written by Tan Fong Chen, depicts the story of a young Japanese chef who sets out on a journey of self-discovery after his father's death. The protagonist, Masato, played by Takumi Saitoh, is a chef in a ramen shop in Japan who lost his parents at a young age. As he grows older, Masato finds himself being haunted by memories of his father, who was a Michelin-starred ramen chef known for a particular dish called Bak Kut Teh (pork rib soup).

After his father's sudden death, Masato discovers a notebook that belongs to him that reveals the truth about his family's history. Masato's grandfather was a talented chef who left Japan many years ago to settle in Singapore, a fact that Masato was previously unaware of. Masato also learns that his grandfather had a complicated love affair with a woman named Rie, played by Seiko Matsuda, while living in Singapore.

Masato decides to travel to Singapore to uncover his family's past and to learn more about his grandfather's life. He arrives in Singapore and quickly realizes that he feels like a stranger in a foreign land. Although he is of Japanese origin, he struggles with the language and customs of Singapore.

At a local food market, Masato meets Miki, a young food blogger who offers to help him find his grandfather's restaurant. Together, the two set out on a journey of culinary discovery and self-discovery, learning about Singapore's rich history of food culture. They visit various hawker centers and restaurants, sample local food and meet a host of fascinating characters along the way.

The film presents Singapore's different cuisines beautifully and provides a glimpse into the complexity and historical significance of food culture in the country. Among other dishes, Masato tries chicken rice, chilli crab, and sambal stingray as he attempts to understand his grandfather's journey by following in his footsteps.

Through his culinary journey, Masato uncovers the secrets of his past and the story of his grandfather's life. He discovers that his grandfather lived a rich, multi-cultural life in Singapore, with a second marriage to a local woman named Mei Lian, played by Jeanette Aw.

Ramen Shop is a heart-warming tale of a young man's search for identity, infused with elements of love, loss, and forgiveness. The supporting cast includes some well-known names such as legendary Japanese actor, Tsutomu Yamazaki, and Singaporean actor Mark Lee.

The film also presents a compelling argument for the power of food to reconnect and heal people. It portrays the idea that food can transcend cultural differences, bring people together, and help us better understand each other.

Overall, Ramen Shop is a beautifully crafted movie that offers a peek into the world of food, history, and culture. It showcases some of Singapore's most iconic dishes while also conveying a universal message about the importance of family and heritage. The film received critical acclaim and has won several awards, including the Best Asian Film Award at the Osaka Asian Film Festival.

Ramen Shop is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 62.